Nanho Purple is a compact butterfly bush that is well suited for the smaller garden. Flowers are fragrant and lavender-purple and contrast with gray-green foliage. It grows best in full sun but will tolerate some shade and under most conditions will bloom from June to September. Blossoms are great for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds and as cut flowers.

Zone
This refers to the USDA hardiness zone assigned to each part of the country, based on the minimum winter temperature that a region typically experiences. Hardiness zone ranges are provided for all perennial plants and you should always choose plants that fall within your range.

5-9

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

60-72 inches

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

60-72 inches

Bloom Season
The time of the year when this product normally blooms.

Fall, Summer

Resistant To
Adverse garden conditions, such as heat or frost, deer or rabbits, that this product can tolerate well.

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots.

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Planting Plants in the Garden:

Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible.

The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is essential in recently constructed neighborhoods.

Plant on a cloudy day or in late afternoon to reduce transplant shock.

Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

Unpot the plant and gently loosen the root ball with your hands to encourage good root growth.

Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand.

Use the plant tag as a location marker.

Thoroughly water and apply a light mulch layer on top of the soil (1-2 inches) to conserve water and reduce weeds.

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their germination.

Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For perennials, an organic mulch of aged bark or shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.

Careful watering is essential in getting perennials off to a good start. Water thoroughly at least once a week to help new roots grow down deeply. Soil should be damp at about 1 inch below the soil surface. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil. Water early in the morning to give all leaves enough time to dry. One inch of rain or watering per week is recommended for most perennial plants. You can check to see if you need to add water by using a rain gauge.

Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.

In colder regions, apply another layer of mulch (1-2 inches) after the ground freezes in fall. Evergreen boughs (from Christmas trees) provide additional protection. Remove this mulch in the spring.

Prune to rejuvenate in spring. Cut plants to the base and they will grow back during the season.

Butterfly bush combines perfectly with ornamental grasses and flowers that have the same bloom period. Plant throughout your garden and attract butterflies all summer long.

Product Details

Zone

5-9

Sun

Full Sun

Height

60-72 inches

Spread

60-72 inches

Bloom Season

Fall, Summer

Resistant To

Deer

Ornamental Use

Beds, Borders, Cut Flowers

Planting Time

Fall, Spring

Genus

Buddleia

Life Cycle

Perennial

Reviews

Butterfly Bush, Nanho Purple is rated
4.0 out of
5 by
13.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
MarieP from
A Real Champ!This butterfly bush is a go-getter! I have mine in a big pot and it's doing great - tons of beautiful blooms throughout our ghastly hot summer here in central Texas.

Date published: 2017-08-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Friend in the Garden from
Butterfly bushMy Butterfly Bush is growing rapidly and is blooming! I am thrilled with it.

Date published: 2017-07-16

Rated 1 out of
5 by
sshank from
Not GrowingVery odd. I planted the plant at the same time as some black-eyed susan and coreopsis seeds in June. The seeds have all become big, beautiful flowers, but the butterfly bush has not really grown. It's still green and is even starting to develop some small buds, but is no more than 5" tall. Hard to blame Burpee though.

Date published: 2016-09-16

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Love online convience from
BeautifulI believe I planted it in April...did very well, bloomed..about 6 weeks ago, it started having wilted leaves around the bottom. Now, the entire shrub looks bad. We've had an extremely hot and wet summer..I only gave it 4 stars because I won't know about it until next spring. Everything planted around it thrived.

Date published: 2016-09-15

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Ray68 from
Butterfiy Bust Nanho PurpleOrdered 3 plants on Feb. 2015. Package delivered exactly on time. So impressed with the way the plants looked and how well they were packaged . Just had to order 6 more. 26 march 2015.

Date published: 2015-03-26

Rated 1 out of
5 by
BostonLady from
Never bloomedIt never bloomed and it is tiny.
We planted in the beginning of the summer & nothing.
Very disappointed.

Date published: 2013-08-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
I love butterfly bushes!i am so happy i found burpee.com! i ordered 1 butterfly bush and it arrived today along with a strawberry plant i ordered. very nicely packed, so nothing gets smashed etc by ups deliveries! i am very happy and going to plant it in a large pot this weekend! i cant wait for it to bloom and smell the delicious scent! thankyou <3

Date published: 2013-05-30

Rated 1 out of
5 by
lollipop60 from
My lovely Butterfly PlantFor my birthday this year...early August...my Son brought me a butterfly plant. He planted it in a spot that gets part sun and all sun. It has never done well. Yesterday, as it was a good 3 ft. height and diameter, I cut it back to the ground. My hope is that as it grows back I will have beautiful flowers and it will get big again. The "flowers" that were on it were all brown and was not flowering at all anymore. Anyone have some feedback for me? I see them all over town and they are huge and bloomed. HELP!!! So sad in Texas...!